Everything you need to know about LG’s HomeChat system

As sales for LG’s home entertainment arm hit 4.95 trillion won, a 2.6% rise from last year’s quarter, CBR tells you five things you need to know about its latest HomeChat system released earlier this year.

1. How does it work?

The HomeChat system relies on Natural Language Processing (NLP) that allows owners of LG appliances to chat with their washing machines, fridges or vacuum cleaners using natural-language commands. .

For example, users can text their washing machine to ask "What are you doing?" and get updates from their fridge to remind them to buy food for the evening.

You could also tell the system "I’m going on holiday next week" and it will know to turn on security cameras or switch on some lights at night to make your house more secure.

Users can also receive real-time status updates from appliances wherever they are and use their mobile phone to view what is going on within their homes.

So far, the system is works through Line, a free mobile messenger app, but the firm says it’s planning to launch the service on WhatsApp, China’s WeChat and Korean messaging service Kakao Talk as well.

It also works on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Nokia and Windows Phone devices as well as OS X and Windows computers and is expected to be released in America later this year.

2. What devices are already connected?

The system works with LG range of smart refrigerators, ovens, TV, washing machines, dryers and the Hom-Bot Square robotic vacuum cleaner, which can operate independently, travelling around rooms collecting dirt and using sensors to avoid furniture.

LG also released an OLED smart lamp at the Light+Building 2014 trade show in Germany, which can be connected directly to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and controlled by an LG app for iOS and Android.